Tours Destinations Gallery About Blog Enquire Now

Our Story

Born in the Wild,
Built on Trust

A family-run safari company rooted in Nairobi, dedicated to giving every traveler an honest, personal, unforgettable encounter with Kenya's wild heart.

Home › About

Who We Are

"We don't just show you Kenya — we share it with you the way a local would."

Westkate Safaris was founded in Nairobi by a passionate Kenyan who grew up exploring the country's game parks, coastline and highlands. What started as a small guided tour operation has grown into a full-service travel company trusted by thousands of visitors from over 40 countries.

We believe the best safari is one where you feel genuinely looked after where your guide knows the name of every bird, where your vehicle never breaks down, and where every detail is handled so you can simply be present in one of the world's last truly wild places.

Plan Your Safari
2009 Est. Nairobi
Safari guide with travelers
Maasai Mara landscape
Safari vehicle at dawn
0

Years of Experience

0

Travelers Hosted

0

Destinations Covered

0

Satisfaction Rate

Our Journey

How We Got Here

From a single tour vehicle and a dream, to Kenya's most trusted independent safari company — this is our story.

2009 — The Beginning

Founded in Nairobi's Westlands

Westkate Safaris and car hire started off as a car hire company with one car and an unshakeable belief that Kenyans could offer the best safari experience to the world. The first tours were small Nairobi city excursions and day trips to the Nairobi National Park.

2012 — Expanding Wild

First Maasai Mara Packages Launched

Following overwhelming demand from international travelers, we launched our signature 3 and 5-day Maasai Mara wildlife packages. The response was extraordinary within the first season we were fully booked three months in advance.

2015 — Growing Family

Fleet Expansion & Coastal Operations

We grew our fleet to six custom safari vehicles and opened our Mombasa Coast division, offering aquatic safaris, Diani Beach packages and the iconic Indian Ocean dhow excursions alongside our inland game park tours.

2018 — Recognition

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Westkate Safaris received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for three consecutive years, driven entirely by organic reviews from our guests.

2022 — Resilience

Rebuilding After the Pandemic

Like the entire travel industry, we faced enormous challenges during 2020–2021. We used the time to retrain our guides, upgrade our vehicles and redesign our tours from the ground up. We emerged leaner, stronger, and more committed than ever to our guests.

Today — Still Going

2,800+ Travelers & Counting

Today Westkate Safaris operates across all of Kenya's major destinations with a dedicated team of 18 staff, 12 certified guides and a fleet of modern safari vehicles. Every single tour is still run with the same personal care as that very first Nairobi city drive back in 2009.

What Drives Us

The Principles We
Never Compromise

These aren't marketing words. They're the promises we make to every single traveler who trusts us with their holiday, and the standards our entire team is held to every day.

Your Safety, Always First

All our guides are wilderness first-aid certified. Our vehicles undergo monthly mechanical inspections and every route is risk-assessed before departure. We never cut corners on safety ever!

Respect for Wildlife

We follow strict KWS guidelines: no off-road driving, no animal disturbance, no flash photography. Our guides educate every guest on responsible wildlife watching. Conservation is not optional, it's part of the experience.

Genuine Local Expertise

Every guide was born and raised in Kenya. They know the land, the culture, the seasons and the secret spots that no international operator can offer. This isn't a job for them rather it's a calling.

Honest, Transparent Pricing

What you see in your quote is what you pay. No hidden fees, no surprise levies, no "service charges" at the end. We price fairly and explain every item because trust is more valuable than a quick sale.

Personalised Every Time

No two itineraries are identical. We take the time to understand your interests, travel style, group dynamics and budget before we write a single proposal. Mass-market cookie-cutter tours are not what we do.

Community & Conservation

A percentage of every booking supports local Maasai and Samburu community projects. We partner with lodges and suppliers who share our values, and we actively discourage tourism that harms local communities or ecosystems.

The People Behind the Magic

Meet Our Team

Born explorers, passionate storytellers and genuine Kenyans — the team that will make your safari extraordinary.

Founder & CEO

Josephat K.

Born and raised in Nairobi, Josephat has spent over two decades exploring every corner of Kenya. His charisma, encyclopedic knowledge of the country, and obsessive attention to detail are the soul of Westkate Safaris.

Co-Founder & Operations

Jane J

Jane is the engine that keeps everything running. With a background in logistics and a lifelong love of the Maasai Mara, she ensures every vehicle, driver and itinerary detail is perfectly coordinated.

Head Safari Guide

Erick W.

Erick is a Maasai elder's son who grew up alongside wildlife in the Mara ecosystem. A certified ornithologist and master tracker, he has guided over 800 individual safaris and has never once missed a Big Five sighting.

Our full team includes 12 certified guides, 4 dedicated drivers, a coastal coordinator and a 24/7 support desk.

Meet the Team in Person →
KWS

Kenya Wildlife Service
Accredited Operator

KATO

Kenya Association of
Tour Operators

Trip
Advisor

Certificate of
Excellence

KTF

Kenya Tourism
Federation Member

JKIA

Official Airport
Transfer Partner

Sarova

Preferred Lodge
Partner

What Our Guests Say

Stories from the Field

★★★★★
“

Erick was the most knowledgeable guide I've ever had anywhere in the world. He spotted a leopard cub hidden in a fig tree that we would never have found on our own. An absolutely magical 5 days in the Mara.

S

Sarah & Tom Mitchell

London, United Kingdom · Maasai Mara Safari

★★★★★
“

From the airport pickup to the final drop-off, everything was flawless. Jane personally called us the night before departure to make sure all our questions were answered. That level of care is rare.

R

Raj Patel

Mumbai, India · Amboseli & Tsavo Package

★★★★★
“

We traveled as a family of five including three children under 12. Jos made sure every detail was child-friendly without sacrificing any of the adventure. The kids still talk about it a year later.

L

The Laurent Family

Lyon, France · Family Wildlife Circuit

★★★★★
“

I've been on safaris in Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. Westkate's Mara experience rivals all of them at a fraction of the price. The honesty and transparency in their pricing was refreshing.

M

Marcus van der Berg

Amsterdam, Netherlands · Private Mara Safari

★★★★★
“

Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation. The team arranged a surprise sundowner setup on our second evening in the Mara completely unexpected and incredibly romantic. We'll be back for our anniversary.

A

Aisha & David Okonkwo

Lagos, Nigeria · Honeymoon Safari